Mary's hands were trembling now, and she turned half away.

"With all my heart," I said.

The girl tried to turn towards me, but could not. I looked at her face a
little more closely. Through all its tremor, there was a look of constancy
that greatly pleased me. I tried to make her speak.

"When do you expect Willie home?" I said.

She made a little gasp and murmur, but no articulate words came.

"Don't be frightened, Mary," said her mother, as I found she always called
her. "The gentleman won't be sharp with you."

She lifted a pair of soft brown eyes with one glance and a smile, and then
sank them again.

"He'll be home in about a month, we think," answered the mother. "She's a
good ship he's aboard of, and makes good voyages."

"It is time to think about the bans, then," I said.

"If you please, sir," said the mother.

"Just come to me about it, and I will attend to it--when you think proper."

I thought I could hear a murmured "Thank you, sir," from the girl, but I
could not be certain that she spoke. I shook hands with them, and went for